According to Gram Research analysis, the extinct American cheetah (Miracinonyx trumani) was not actually related to African cheetahs despite looking similar. DNA from 23,000 and 31,000-year-old specimens revealed it was a close relative of modern pumas instead, having diverged 2.6 million years ago. Different populations showed remarkable dietary differences: Arctic populations hunted anadromous fish while Wyoming populations hunted varied land animals, demonstrating unexpected ecological versatility in this extinct predator.
Scientists have solved a 150-year-old mystery about an extinct cat called the American cheetah. Using DNA from ancient bones found in Wyoming and Canada, researchers discovered that this animal wasn’t actually related to African cheetahs at all—it was more closely related to modern pumas. The study also revealed that different populations of these cats ate very different foods: some hunted fish in Arctic regions while others hunted land animals. This discovery shows how animals can look similar but have completely different family trees and lifestyles.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study analyzing ancient DNA from American cheetah specimens found that Miracinonyx trumani was most closely related to modern pumas, not African cheetahs, despite over 150 years of scientific assumptions to the contrary.
Research published in Current Biology revealed that the American cheetah’s known range extended over 20 degrees of latitude farther north than previously documented, with specimens from the Yukon Territory showing Arctic populations exploited anadromous fish resources.
Stable isotope analysis of two American cheetah populations showed striking ecological differentiation, with Yukon specimens occupying an elevated trophic position consistent with fish exploitation while Wyoming specimens functioned as generalist terrestrial predators.
Phylogenomic analysis dated the divergence between American cheetahs and pumas to approximately 2.6 million years ago during rapid Pliocene-Pleistocene climate oscillations, fundamentally revising the evolutionary relationships of this extinct felid.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Scientists wanted to figure out what the extinct American cheetah really was and how it lived, using ancient DNA and bone chemistry.
- Who participated: Researchers analyzed bones from two American cheetahs: one from Wyoming that lived about 23,000 years ago and one from Yukon, Canada that lived about 31,000 years ago.
- Key finding: DNA analysis showed the American cheetah was actually a close relative of modern pumas, not African cheetahs, even though they looked similar. Different populations ate different foods—Arctic ones ate fish while Wyoming ones hunted land animals.
- What it means for you: This research helps us understand that animals that look alike might not be related at all, and that extinct animals were more diverse and adaptable than scientists previously thought. It doesn’t directly affect humans, but it changes how we understand prehistoric ecosystems.
The Research Details
Scientists extracted DNA from ancient bones of American cheetahs found in two different locations: Wyoming and the Yukon Territory in Canada. They compared this DNA to the genetic code of living cats to figure out which modern cats the American cheetah was most closely related to. They also analyzed chemicals in the bones called stable isotopes, which act like a record of what the animals ate. By measuring these chemicals, scientists could determine whether each population hunted fish or land animals.
This approach is like solving a puzzle using two different clues: the DNA tells you who the animal’s relatives are, while the bone chemistry tells you what it ate. By combining both methods, researchers got a much clearer picture of how these extinct cats lived and where they fit in the cat family tree.
The study focused on specimens from two different time periods and locations, which allowed scientists to see if American cheetahs in different areas lived differently from each other.
This research matters because scientists had been assuming for over a century that American cheetahs were just like African cheetahs based only on their body shape. But assumptions can be wrong. By using modern DNA technology, scientists could finally test this idea properly. The findings show that two animals can look very similar on the outside but be completely unrelated on the inside. This is important for understanding how evolution works and how ecosystems change over time.
This study is considered high-quality because it uses ancient DNA, which is one of the most reliable ways to determine what extinct animals were related to. The researchers analyzed specimens from two different locations and time periods, which strengthens their conclusions. The study was published in Current Biology, a highly respected scientific journal. However, the study only examined two individual animals, so scientists would ideally like to study more specimens to confirm these findings apply to the entire species.
What the Results Show
The most important discovery was that the American cheetah (Miracinonyx trumani) was not actually related to African cheetahs at all. Instead, DNA analysis showed it was most closely related to modern pumas (mountain lions). The two species split from a common ancestor about 2.6 million years ago, during a time when Earth’s climate was changing rapidly.
The second major finding was that American cheetahs lived across a much larger area than scientists previously knew. Bones found in the Yukon Territory showed that these cats lived far into the Arctic—over 20 degrees of latitude farther north than the previously known range. This is like discovering that an animal thought to live only in the southern United States actually lived all the way to Canada.
Perhaps most surprisingly, the two populations of American cheetahs had completely different diets and lifestyles. The Yukon population, living in the far north, ate anadromous fish—fish that swim upstream in rivers to spawn. They occupied a high position in the food chain, meaning they were top predators. In contrast, the Wyoming population hunted a variety of land animals and functioned as a generalist predator, eating whatever prey was available.
The research also found that American cheetahs may have had mutations in genes related to circadian rhythms (the body’s internal clock). These mutations suggest that the normal constraints on how their bodies managed daily cycles may have been relaxed, possibly because they lived in environments where day-night cycles were less important—particularly in the Arctic where daylight patterns are extreme.
For over 150 years, scientists believed the American cheetah was an ecological equivalent to the African cheetah—meaning it filled the same role in its ecosystem even though it lived on a different continent. This idea was based mainly on the fact that both animals had long, slender bodies built for running. However, this new research shows that this assumption was incorrect. The American cheetah was actually more closely related to pumas and had a much more varied lifestyle than anyone expected. This discovery highlights how misleading it can be to judge relationships based only on body shape.
The main limitation of this study is that it examined only two individual animals. While these specimens are from different locations and time periods, scientists would ideally want to study more specimens to confirm that all American cheetahs behaved this way. Additionally, the study only analyzed bones from two locations, so there may be other populations with different characteristics that weren’t discovered. Finally, while stable isotope analysis is a good way to determine diet, it provides a general picture rather than a detailed list of exactly which animals were eaten.
The Bottom Line
This research doesn’t lead to direct recommendations for human behavior, as it concerns extinct animals. However, for scientists and educators, it strongly suggests that we should be cautious about assuming that animals with similar body shapes are closely related. The evidence is strong that American cheetahs were actually puma relatives with diverse diets and behaviors.
This research matters most to paleontologists (scientists who study extinct animals), evolutionary biologists, and anyone interested in understanding prehistoric North America. Museum educators and science communicators should update their displays and explanations about American cheetahs. General readers interested in natural history and evolution will find this fascinating as it shows how science can overturn long-held beliefs.
This is historical research about animals that went extinct thousands of years ago, so there are no timelines for personal benefits. However, this research may influence how museums present information about extinct animals and how scientists approach studying other extinct species in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the American cheetah actually a cheetah?
No. DNA analysis from 2026 research shows the American cheetah was actually a close relative of modern pumas, not African cheetahs. They looked similar due to convergent evolution, but were genetically distinct, having diverged 2.6 million years ago.
What did the American cheetah eat?
Different populations ate different foods. Arctic populations in the Yukon hunted anadromous fish, while Wyoming populations hunted various land animals. This shows they were more adaptable than previously thought.
How far north did American cheetahs live?
American cheetahs lived much farther north than scientists previously knew. Specimens from the Yukon Territory extended their known range over 20 degrees of latitude into the Arctic, far beyond earlier documented locations.
Why did scientists think American cheetahs were like African cheetahs?
Scientists assumed they were related based on similar body shapes—both had long, slender builds for running. However, this assumption was wrong. Modern DNA technology revealed they were actually unrelated, showing that similar appearances don’t always mean close relationships.
When did American cheetahs go extinct?
The specimens studied lived 23,000 to 31,000 years ago. American cheetahs disappeared during the late Pleistocene, likely due to climate change and the extinction of their prey species at the end of the ice age.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Users interested in paleontology could track their learning about extinct species by logging new discoveries they learn about, noting how scientific understanding changes as new technology emerges.
- Users could use the app to explore interactive timelines of extinct animals, comparing what scientists believed about them in the past versus what we know now based on modern DNA technology.
- Track engagement with paleontology content over time, noting which extinct species users are most curious about and how their understanding evolves as new research is published.
This article discusses paleontological research about extinct animals and does not provide medical, nutritional, or health advice. The findings are based on scientific analysis of ancient specimens and represent current scientific understanding, which may change as new evidence emerges. This research does not apply to living humans or modern animals. Readers interested in the technical details should consult the original peer-reviewed publication in Current Biology.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
